v.24 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize ? Run in such a way to get the prize. v.25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training, They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. v.26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. v.27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
A. Go into strict training in order to get the prize.
Winning a race requires purpose and discipline. Paul uses this illustration to explain that Christian life takes hard work, self denial, and gruelling preparation. As a Christians, we are running toward our heavenly reward. The essential discipline of Prayer, Bible study, and Worship equip us to run with vigor and stamina. Don't merely observed from the grandstand, don't just turn out to jog a couple of laps each morning. Train diligently, your Spiritual progress depend upon it.
When Paul says he must be disqualified, he does not mean that he could lose his salvation, but rather that he could lose his privilege of telling others about Christ. It is easy to tell others how to live and not to take our own advice. We must be careful to practice what we preach.
We train ourselves to run the race of life. So we keep our eyes on Christ--the goal--and don't get sidetracked or slowed down. When we do this, we will win a reward in Christ's kingdom.
B. Race ---- Focus all your energies toward winning the race.
Philippians 3 : 13,14
v.13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead. v.14 I pressed toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Paul had reason to forget what was behind, he had held the coats of those who stoned Stephen, the first Christian martyr (Acts 7:57,58, Paul is called Saul here, v.57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, v.58 dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile , the witnesses laid their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul).
Stephen saw the Glory of God, and Jesus the Messiah standing at God's right hand. Stephen's word are similar to Jesus' words spoken before the council. (Matthew 26:64, "Yes, it is as you say," Jesus replied, "But I say to all of you : In the future you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of the Mighty One and coming in the clouds of heaven).
Jesus declared His royalty in no uncertain terms. In saying He was the Son of Man, Jesus was claiming to be the Messiah, as His listeners well knew. He knew this declaration would be His undoing, but He did not panic. He was calm, courageous, and determined.
Stephen's vission supported Jesus claim and angered the Jewish leaders who had condemed Jesus for blasphemy. They will not tolerate Stephen's words, so they dragged him out and killed him. People may not kill us for witnessing about Christ, but they will let us know they don't want to hear the truth and will often try to silence us. Keep honoring God in your conduct and words; though many may turn against you and your message, some will follow Christ. Remember, Stephen's death made a profound impact on Paul, who later became the world's greatest missionary, Even those who oppose you now may later turn to Christ.
Saul is also called Paul (see Acts 13:9). the great missionary who wrote many of the letters in the New Testament. Saul was his Hebrew name; Paul his Greek name, was used as he began his ministry to the Gentiles. When Luke introduces him, Paul was hating and persecuting Jesus' followers. This is a great contrast to the Paul about whom Luke will write for most of the rest of the Book of Acts--a devoted follower of Christ and a gifted Gospel preacher. Paul was uniquely qualified to talk to the Jews because he had once persecuted those who believed in Jesus, and he understood how the opposition felt. Paul is a powerful example of how no one is impossible for God to reach and change.
We have all done things for which we are ashamed, and we live in the tension of what we have been and what we want to be. Because our hope in Christ, however, we can let go of past guilt and look forward to what God will help us become. Don't dwell on your past. Instead, grow in the knowledge of God by concentrating your relationship with Him now. Realize that you are forgiven, and then move on to a life of faith and obedience. Look forward to a fuller and more meaningful life because of your Hope in Christ.
C. Exercise--- Spiritual Exercise = will help you grow in faith and character.
1 Timothy 4:7-10
v.7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. v.8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. v.9 This is trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance v.10 (and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is our Saviour of all men, and especially of those who believe.
Are you in shape both physical and Spiritually ? In our society, much emphasis is placed on physical fitness, but Spiritual health (godliness) is more important. Our physical health is susceptible to disease and injury, but faith can sustain us through this tragedies. To train ourselves to be godly we must develop our faith by using our God-given abilities in the service of the church (see 4:14-16). Are we developing our spiritual muscles ?
As we must repeat exercises to tone our bodies, so we must steadily repeat Spiritual exercises to be Spiritually fit. When we do this, we will be better Christians, living in accordance with God's will. Such a life will attract others to Christ and pay dividends in this present life and the next.
D. Fight Race-- Fighting the good fight and persevering to the end.
2 Timothy 4:7,8
v.7 I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. V.8 Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day--- and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for His appearing.
In romans athlethic games, a laurel wreath was given to the winners. A symbol of triumph and honor, it was the most coveted prize in ancient Rome. This is probably what Paul was referring to when he spoke at a "crown." But his would be a crown of righteousness.
2 Corinthians 5:10
For we must all appear before the Judgement seat of Christ, that each may one recieve what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.
While Eternal Life is free gift on the basis of God's Grace (Ephessians 2:8,9-- For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the Gift of God--not by works, so that no one can boast).
Each of us will still be Judge by Christ . This Judgement will reward us for how we have lived, God's Gracious Gift of Salvation does not free us from the requirement for faithful obedience. All Christians must give an account for how they have lived.
Matthew 16:27
For the Son of Man is going to come in His Father's Glory with His angels, and then He will reward each person according to what he has done.
Jesus Christ has been given the authority to judge all the earth (Romans 14:9-11). Although His Judgement is already working in our lives, there is a future , final Judgement when Christ returns (25:31-46) and everyone's life is reviewed and evaluated. This will not be confined to unbelievers. Christian too will face a Judgement. Their Eternal destiny is secure, but Jesus will look at how they handled gifts, opportunities, and responsibilities in order to determine their heavenly rewards. At the time of Judgement , God will delivered the righteous and condemned the wicked. We should not Judge other's Salvation, that is God's work.
The Christian life is a fight aganst evil forces from without and temptation from within . If we stay true to God through it all, He promises an end, a rest, and a crown.
As a great amount of training is needed for athletic activities, so we must train diligently for the Christian life. Such training takes time, dedication, energy, continued practice, and vision. We must all commit ouselves to the Christian life, but we must first know the rules,
as prescribed in God's word (2 Timothy 2:5).
Similarly, if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not recieve the victor's crown unless he competes according to the rules.
As Timothy preached and taught, he would faced suferring, but he shoul be able to endure. Paul used a comparison with soldiers, athletes, and farmers who must discipline themselves and be willing to sacrifice to achieve the results they want. Like soldiers, we have to give up worldly security and endure rigorous discipline. Like athletes, we must train and follow the rules. Like farmers, we must work extremely hard and be patient. But we keep going despite suferring because of the thought of victory, the vission of winning, and the hope of harvest. We will see that our hope of suferring is Glorifying God, winning people to Christ, and one day living Eternally with Him.
Amen !!!
